The Licensing Panel of Hounslow Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 18 March 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a review of a premises licence for Trishul Groceries, consideration of the council's licensing policy, and procedural matters for panel hearings.

Review of Trishul Groceries Premises Licence

A significant item on the agenda is the application for a review of the premises licence for Trishul Groceries, located at 2-6 Clayponds Lane, Brentford. The review has been initiated by Brian Gohery, a Trading Standards Regulatory Officer for Hounslow Council. The grounds for the review are based on concerns that the licence holder has failed to uphold the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

The report pack indicates that the review stems from allegations that alcohol was sold to a minor on more than one occasion. Specifically, it is alleged that on 25 May 2023, alcohol was sold to a 14-year-old volunteer by Mr Thamotharampillai Gnanaharan, the Premises Licence Holder and Designated Premises Supervisor. Mr Gnanaharan was subsequently convicted of this offence at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on 14 May 2024. A further incident is alleged to have occurred on 30 October 2025, when alcohol was reportedly sold to a 15-year-old volunteer.

The report details that the application for review has been submitted under section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003¹. The Licensing Act 2003 governs the sale of alcohol and the provision of regulated entertainment in England and Wales, aiming to promote the four licensing objectives. The report outlines the potential steps the panel may take if it considers the review application to be necessary, which include modifying licence conditions, excluding licensable activities, removing the designated premises supervisor, suspending the licence for up to three months, or revoking the licence entirely. No representations from other interested parties have been received regarding this application.

Hounslow Licensing Policy

The panel is also scheduled to consider the Hounslow Licensing Policy². This policy, updated in March 2025, sets out the principles and procedures the council will follow when determining applications under the Licensing Act 2003. It aims to promote the four licensing objectives and reflects local circumstances and characteristics of the borough. The policy document covers various aspects, including general principles for applications, core licensing hours, specific considerations for off-sales of alcohol, planning status, external areas, minor variations, temporary event notices, personal licences, and cumulative impact policies in specific areas of the borough.

Procedural Matters

The meeting will also address procedural aspects related to panel hearings. This includes the Order of Business³, which outlines the sequence of discussions and actions during the meeting, and the Procedure for the conduct of Panel hearings⁴. These documents detail how the panel will operate, including the election of a chair, the introduction of panel members and officers, the process for hearing applications and representations, and the decision-making process.